Close Call

[Martin PJ]

Thanks for all the support and advice guys.

 

I’ve done the circuit nearly 300 times and this was a first for me. It’s an amazing 5km circuit and great for pushing yourself to the limit. Cycle lane all the way and left turns only.

 

I must confess that I was not riding with a front light, so I am partially to blame I suppose, even though I had right of way.

 

Can anyone recommend a decent flashing front light, preferably rechargeable?

 

I bought two Marvel lights from Chris Willemse a while back for R390, they last more than 4 hours on full bright. It is better not to ride with the flasher mode on the light during the day, it is very bright and motorists find it annoying. I have noticed that drivers are willing to wait a bit longer for you when the light is on.

 

I echo your sentiments about the bike lane. I appreciate the facility from Durban metro and use it often to train.

[Mokgaga'a mmakubela!]

Glad you missed being involved in an accident.

 

Unfortunately i wasn't so lucky about 4 years ago. A minibus taxi turned in front of me at the intersection while i was doing about 40km/h. I am veeeeeery careful now when i approach intersections.

[robbybzgo]

I bought a Zartek Utility light about two years ago..it clips on handlebars.

900 lumen and I use the flashing strobe during the day and obviously

continuously after dusk.

It came with a battery pack that I strap under the stem.

It is a bother moving it between bikes, but do-able.

 

Newer lights have built in batteries and easier to attach and 

remove but consider a larger battery if you ever want to do

a long stage or overnight race.

 

I have seen motorist take a "SECOND" look towards me and STOP after taking

their initial quick look (where they had started to roll forwards).

 

I wouldn't want to ride on the roads during the day without the light.

 

You can always tilt the light forward on the bars if approaching cars

closely or passing other cyclist on a narrow path as not to blind or 

annoy them. (The light is extremely bright up close)

[Robbie Stewart]

So this morning I was entering the 3rd to last circle from home (less than 2 kays to go), and I am almost through when all of a sudden this blerrie white Mini comes hoofing along from my left. Anyhow, the driver must have been either, 1. Applying makeup, 2. eating breakfast, 3. InstaTwatFacing or 4. All of the above, as she is totally unaware of the fekken cyclist DIRECTLY ahead of her. Not of to the side somewhere. REG VOOR...I came within a ball-hair thickness of plunging headfirst through her windscreen. What does she so do...wave some sort of apology and drive on.

 

So then, half an hour later, I am doing the same thing in my double cab, i.e. exiting a traffic circle on my way to work, when another madam comes footing it through the circle from my left, again, I am right in front of her, exiting ahead of her. She schemes, I can make the gap. Another half-assed attempt at waving some sort of apology.

 

For vark sake's people. This is why I ride mountain bike mostly.

[Tomik]

This certainly isn't victim blaming but I don't think it's wise to ever "push it to the limit" on a public road with intersections. 

 

We do give it horns on every ride, but only on sections with no side streets or intersections. Probably not so easy to find in Durban though.

 

I do the same on my motorbike - just ease off slightly when approaching an intersection. Thankfully a big motorbike is a bit easier to see than a small cyclist.  

 

And + 1 on lights. Lezyne has some nice small ones with integrated battery and USD rechargeable. Not cheap but they work well and look good. 

[Jase619]

This certainly isn't victim blaming but I don't think it's wise to ever "push it to the limit" on a public road with intersections. 

 

We do give it horns on every ride, but only on sections with no side streets or intersections. Probably not so easy to find in Durban though.

 

I do the same on my motorbike - just ease off slightly when approaching an intersection. Thankfully a big motorbike is a bit easier to see than a small cyclist.  

 

And + 1 on lights. Lezyne has some nice small ones with integrated battery and USD rechargeable. Not cheap but they work well and look good. 

 

Careful, I fear a reprimand coming from the Hub Victim Protection Services!!!

 

How dare you give good advice and logical safety instructions? 

 

The vehicle was wrong, end of story. . . 

[ChrisF]

This certainly isn't victim blaming but I don't think it's wise to ever "push it to the limit" on a public road with intersections. 

 

We do give it horns on every ride, but only on sections with no side streets or intersections. Probably not so easy to find in Durban though.

 

I do the same on my motorbike - just ease off slightly when approaching an intersection. Thankfully a big motorbike is a bit easier to see than a small cyclist.  

 

And + 1 on lights. Lezyne has some nice small ones with integrated battery and USD rechargeable. Not cheap but they work well and look good. 

 

I really feel sorry for "road riders"

 

As a commuter I have to agree with you 100%  Each time that I have pushed it along the commute I have had near incidents.  Commuting has become a game of dodgems, with me slowing down when I see a vehicle in a side road, when I get close to an intersection ....

 

Frankly a road rider wont ever cover any decent distances riding like this.

 

 

 

So yes, for enjoyment I take to the trails ....

[DJR]

...........As a commuter I have to agree with you 100%  Each time that I have pushed it along the commute I have had near incidents.  Commuting has become a game of dodgems, with me slowing down when I see a vehicle in a side road, when I get close to an intersection .............

 

Defensive riding is by far the best way to stay alive, whether you commute or train on the road. The safest commuters are the guys who ride predictably and keep going. Pushing the limit should be reserved for interval training somewhere you don't have to worry about traffic or to racing.  

[Geronimo]

While riding circuits in Durban this evening, I had a close call with an idiot driver who either had his eyes closed or thought he could beat me while turning at an intersection.

 

Boy, was I mad at him!

 

 

 

I encounter this in Nigeria several times on a ride. The difference is I'm expecting/anticipating it so change my riding accordingly. Not cool though. Understand why you got p,,,ed off 

[Thor Buttox]

If it makes you feel any better, some guy in a white Ute* almost took me out at a roundabout the other day. I actually looked through his windscreen at him as I turned and he still thought, I'll just go. Numpties are not just in the banana Republic.

 

* - a Patchmobile